Once again the Independent Shakespeare Company is performing two of the bard’s works in Griffith Park for free. This summer they decided to do Richard III, the most popular of Shakespeare’s tragedies, and in August, The Tempest.
This version of Richard III, combines Shakespeare’s language with an edited version of the play written (borrowed? stolen?) by Colley Cibber in 1699–almost a 100 years after Shakespeare’s death. Not that it makes any difference; it is a free evening of Shakespeare outdoors under the stars and families are welcome.
Oh, the costumes were, more or less, period costumes except for those on the two young princes, who famously were sent to the Tower of London never to be seen again. The boys’ bodies have never been found. Richard’s body was discovered in 2012 buried under what is now a parking lot in Leicester, England. The site of his burial had been lost to memory since 1485 when he was killed at the Battle of Bosworth.
The music accompanying the performance came from a really terrific rock band who I think are players in this Shakespeare troupe.
And prior to the play, the Invertigo Dance company performed a short work.
